The river opened on Wednesday morning with piper Alasdair Miller leading the ghillies, anglers and friends of the river down to the Comlifoot pool on beat four, John Drummond toasted the river and invited Francis Sandison to make the first casts of the 2023 season.

The evening before the annual pre-opening day dinner was held for the first time in three years. Francis talked about his past experiences spanning over forty years and how much the Thurso means to both himself and his partner Vikki who make the long trip north from Carlisle twice a year. The staff of the Ulbster Arms Hotel were as usual exemplary and the food was outstanding and the crack was good.

So we can now look forward to another season, who knows what this season will bring, some decent summer spates wouldn't go a miss with four of the last five seasons blighted by prolonged dry spells. Time will tell what 2023 will hold but as ever the entire River Thurso team are optimistic and are eager to see what the season will bring.

Tight lines to all who visit the Thurso in 2023.